Non-League Teams Achieve Upsets in FA Cup First Round
National League teams Carlisle and Gateshead caused upsets against League One opponents during the first round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
Mark Hughes' Carlisle made a stunning comeback to defeat Reading in Leam Richardson's debut as manager, while Gateshead eliminated AFC Wimbledon.
In another match, National League South side Hemel Hempstead pushed 10-man Wigan Athletic to penalties, where the 2012-13 winners eventually prevailed.
In total, 11 non-league clubs, including five from the sixth tier, advanced to the second round.
Regan Linney Shines as Non-League Teams Shock EFL Opponents
Reading appeared poised to advance with a 2-0 lead as stoppage time approached, but Regan Linney scored twice for Carlisle, ultimately securing an extra-time victory.
"I thought it was exceptional," manager Hughes told BBC Radio Cumbria. "We were unlucky; I didn’t think they deserved to be 2-0 down. We made some changes, and I always felt that if we got one goal, it could change the outcome. Once we equalized, I believed we were the only team likely to win the match."
AFC Wimbledon, who famously won the cup in 1988, currently sit sixth in League One, 57 places above Gateshead. However, Gateshead secured their first victory over Football League opposition since 2000, thanks to goals from Kain Adom and Fenton John.
"This is huge; I don’t think people understand what this club went through over the summer," said Gateshead manager Alun Armstrong. "Describing our staff situation as a skeleton crew is an understatement. We currently have just four members managing the football side. I’m thrilled for the fans who have endured a tough summer; they were vocal from the first minute."
In the late match, National League side Brackley Town eliminated Notts County in a penalty shoot-out after Callum Stewart's injury-time equalizer leveled the game at 2-2. Notts County initially took the lead through Alassana Jatta, but Matt Lowe equalized, and Jodi Jones restored the Magpies' lead before Stewart's dramatic late goal forced penalties. Zak Brown converted the decisive penalty for Brackley.
Boreham Wood also achieved a notable victory over EFL opponents, defeating Crawley Town, while York nearly added to the non-league success by taking the lead against Barnsley. Despite a late equalizer from Davis Keillor-Dunn, Marc Robert's last-minute goal secured the win for Barnsley.
Five Non-League Teams Advance to Second Round
Five sixth-tier teams reached the second round, with National League South side Slough Town defeating Altrincham 2-1, thanks to goals from debutant Ansu Janneh and Wiktor Makowski.
Chelmsford City, also from the National League South, overcame Braintree Town 4-1, with Lyle Taylor scoring twice to guide them through to the second round for the first time since the 2012-13 season.
Weston-super-Mare reached the second round for the first time in 22 years by defeating Aldershot Town 2-1, while National League North side Macclesfield marked their return to the FA Cup with a 6-3 victory over AFC Totton, highlighted by a first-half hat-trick from Danny Elliott.
Buxton completed the lineup of National League teams advancing by beating Isthmian League Premier Division side Chatham Town 2-1 after extra time.
League Two Teams Face Upsets
Oldham Athletic's on-loan Burnley striker Michael Mellon propelled his father's team into the second round with a hat-trick against Northampton Town at Boundary Park. Mellon scored twice in the first six minutes, including a spectacular overhead kick, and added another goal before Cameron McGeehan scored a consolation for the Cobblers, who are 26 places above Oldham.
League One contenders Stevenage also fell to defeat as Chesterfield's Lee Bonis converted a penalty. Lincoln City, another third-tier team eyeing promotion, were eliminated by Salford City in a penalty shoot-out after Kelly N'mai scored a late equalizer.
The revival of Cheltenham Town under Steve Cotterill continued, as Isaac Hutchinson's early header secured a win over Bradford City. Since Cotterill's return in late September, the Robins have lost just once in seven matches across all competitions.
Swindon Town contributed to the five EFL upsets by defeating Rotherham United 2-1 after extra time, despite Aaron Drinan's dismissal for a punch. Darren Oldaker scored the decisive goal late in extra time.